Posted by goldbdan (goldbdan@…>)
Tourne:
Having a wet core definitely is a problem. That being said, my view
is that these things often get overblown.
First, moisture meters notoriously are inaccurate. Frankly, none of
them are “accurate.” Their usefulness comes in using them for
comparative purposes only. Each meter will read a dry core
differently. So, the user needs to know how that particular meter
reads a dry core, and from there, you can ascertain whether the
subject core is reading high based on that meter’s “normal.” And
even then, I’m not sure I would believe the meter wholeheartedly.
Frankly, the only way to know for sure is to take a few core samples
and see if the coring comes out wet. It really is not that big of a
deal to take a core sample, assuming there is access from the inside
(taking the core from the outside is no more difficult, but closing
the hole in a cosmetically acceptable way could be more tricky).
Second, all cores have some moisture. All. Anyone telling you
something different either is thinking of a brand new boat, or is
just plain wrong. The key is to make sure that water no longer is
getting in to the core, that whatever moisture exists now is not
spreading (via capillary action or otherwise), and that the core has
not begun to rot (not necessarily so easy to ascertain).
In terms of who pays, I agree with a previous poster that you as the
buyer would prefer a price adjustment and then you do the work.
That’s the only way you’ll know if the work is done properly.
All this being said, if you really believe there are large sections
of the deck or hull that have meaningful moisture saturation, then
take a pass on the boat. There are plenty of them out there. Just
make sure you’re not hitting the panic button just become some
sureveyor states, “hey, my moisture meter reads 17%, which means the
hull/deck is wet.” Get more of an answer than that, as surveyors
are notorious for proclaiming that some problem is huge. Remember,
all boats have problems, they all need work or could use
improvement, and everything can be fixed. The question simply is
how much will it cost.
Good luck,
DG
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “tournemountain”
<tournemountain@…> wrote:
We made a bid on a Freedom and have just completed the survey. The
surveyor found, with his moisture high readings in the areas
around
the genoa tracks. On one side that extended to 20" in front of the
track. On both sides the moisture extends to the edge of the deck.
Because this does not seem like a simple lift the track and rebed
it
sort of thing, we plan on asking the seller to have it fixed - to
whatever extent that might be. The seller’s broker says this is
nothing to worry about. The man that has been taking care of the
boat
says he does not belive in moisure meters and doubts that it is
all
that serious. We see no way this could be accurately estimated and
such estimate amount taken off the purchase price. Who knows what
the
marine fixit guy will find. He might estimate $1,000 and then need
many days and $3,000 to fix it once he got things opened up.
Things
could get extensive and we do not want to be involved in that. Do
you
think this is reasonable? We figure if we do not buy it the next
person will find the same problem when they do their survey and
the
seller will probably be faced with the same request.
Thank you, Tourne